Post by katbur2 on Mar 5, 2013 16:21:11 GMT -5

We've been looking to rent this year and can't find a price that's not through the roof. Any advice? This will be our 6th Roo. For us the trip is 600 miles each way and the mileage really seems to be what's killing us.

Post by malo on Mar 7, 2013 15:40:50 GMT -5

Repeat of that Route 55 question...has anyone come in from the McMinnville area in an RV? If so, could you please describe how it went for you?

Im sorry I cannot help you, we always come up from the south. Usually we miss the northern groups because they eventually block off return access to the roo exit. IF they see you are a rooster they end up making you exit and then you wind up taking some other roads to get you to roo. IF you are coming up from the south the exit is right off the highway...they make a temporary entrance or take you up bushy branch road. The temporary exit does not allow access from the north route, so I think they would exit you guys on bushy branch...not sure.

Post by gratefuled on Mar 7, 2013 17:21:00 GMT -5

Repeat of that Route 55 question...has anyone come in from the McMinnville area in an RV? If so, could you please describe how it went for you?

Im sorry I cannot help you, we always come up from the south. Usually we miss the northern groups because they eventually block off return access to the roo exit. IF they see you are a rooster they end up making you exit and then you wind up taking some other roads to get you to roo. IF you are coming up from the south the exit is right off the highway...they make a temporary entrance or take you up bushy branch road. The temporary exit does not allow access from the north route, so I think they would exit you guys on bushy branch...not sure.

That Brushy Branch diversion is the way we've always come in when we've arrived in a car, but that was when there was an east RV GA and a west RV GA. We had to miss last year for my brother's wedding (the bastard had to go and get married the same weekend as Bonnaroo, damn his evil heart…are you reading this, Ben?) so I was wondering how it works now that there's only a west RV GA right by the interstate.

Post by sheiscindy on Mar 7, 2013 20:30:02 GMT -5

Im sorry I cannot help you, we always come up from the south. Usually we miss the northern groups because they eventually block off return access to the roo exit. IF they see you are a rooster they end up making you exit and then you wind up taking some other roads to get you to roo. IF you are coming up from the south the exit is right off the highway...they make a temporary entrance or take you up bushy branch road. The temporary exit does not allow access from the north route, so I think they would exit you guys on bushy branch...not sure.

That Brushy Branch diversion is the way we've always come in when we've arrived in a car, but that was when there was an east RV GA and a west RV GA. We had to miss last year for my brother's wedding (the bastard had to go and get married the same weekend as Bonnaroo, damn his evil heart…are you reading this, Ben?) so I was wondering how it works now that there's only a west RV GA right by the interstate.

Every year is a different situation...... just one little change and the entire dynamics change, so it is almost impossible to predict what will/what won't be a smooth and easy entrance.

"Usually we miss the northern groups.. " is so so true. What needs to happen in 2014 is not only a Groop option for tents, but have an "RV Groop" option. This would solve sooooooo many headaches of trying to herd us Rv-cats within the RVCampInforoo.

Post by gratefuled on Mar 7, 2013 22:00:44 GMT -5

That Brushy Branch diversion is the way we've always come in when we've arrived in a car, but that was when there was an east RV GA and a west RV GA. We had to miss last year for my brother's wedding (the bastard had to go and get married the same weekend as Bonnaroo, damn his evil heart…are you reading this, Ben?) so I was wondering how it works now that there's only a west RV GA right by the interstate.

Every year is a different situation...... just one little change and the entire dynamics change, so it is almost impossible to predict what will/what won't be a smooth and easy entrance.

"Usually we miss the northern groups.. " is so so true. What needs to happen in 2014 is not only a Groop option for tents, but have an "RV Groop" option. This would solve sooooooo many headaches of trying to herd us Rv-cats within the RVCampInforoo.

That's an awesome idea. I can just imagine how much it would cost, though.

Post by lonestar on Apr 1, 2013 20:54:21 GMT -5

Hey guys first time to Bonnaroo and would like some advice! Been checking stuff out but still need some help. We are driving our RV in from SC near Charlotte NC area on Wednesday the 12th, so we won't be getting there till around 8pm or 9pm at night. So I see that there is a walmart right off I-24 exit 114. We figured we would stop here for stocking up and getting gas etc. So around 10pm at night on Wednesday should we camp it in the walmart parking and try to get in early thursday morning like 6AM(or do you recommend an earlier time)? Or try to get in on wednesday night with the early gate opening??? How will you know they open the gates early? word of mouth? on bonnaroo radio? Just didn't know how RV camp spots were, are they all pretty close to the centeroo? Are there alot of RV's camping? And no we are not doing the VIP. Thanks for any information and can't wait to go!!!!

Post by pastero on Apr 12, 2013 11:25:31 GMT -5

Hey guys first time to Bonnaroo and would like some advice! Been checking stuff out but still need some help. We are driving our RV in from SC near Charlotte NC area on Wednesday the 12th, so we won't be getting there till around 8pm or 9pm at night. So I see that there is a walmart right off I-24 exit 114. We figured we would stop here for stocking up and getting gas etc. So around 10pm at night on Wednesday should we camp it in the walmart parking and try to get in early thursday morning like 6AM(or do you recommend an earlier time)? Or try to get in on wednesday night with the early gate opening??? How will you know they open the gates early? word of mouth? on bonnaroo radio? Just didn't know how RV camp spots were, are they all pretty close to the centeroo? Are there alot of RV's camping? And no we are not doing the VIP. Thanks for any information and can't wait to go

Happy First Roo! Sorry for the late reply.

The walmart idea will work but be forewarned it is a mad house, all traffic is around this exit. There are many RV'ers (and general primitive campers) with the same idea. I suggest you get in the gate Wednesday ASAP which will open that afternoon, say 3 or 4 pm ish. Last year we entered around 6 or 7 pm as we were waiting in our meeting spot for our whole crew to arrive. They announce on Bonnaroo radio as well as just word of mouth on the street when the gates open. The wait to get in is long because of the searching of the vehicles and just the general mass of people flowing into the gates. Its an easy 1 1/2 hour or so wait to get in (this is where CB radios come in handy) but on the positive side of that wait is you get to interact with the Bonnaroovians walking up and down the street next to car line, that in itself is an part of the overall experience.

As far as the amount of RV's, yes, pretty large amount. Easy 150 campers. We have gotten lucky every other year with a great spot close to the center-roo entrances (there is two) but you never really know... earlier the better is the general thinking but I have been burned before and ended up in the back.

Post by lonestar on Apr 12, 2013 14:02:25 GMT -5

Thanks for the info. I thought that walmart would be like that. Do you think it would be wise to stop at another walmart on the way that is further away from Manchester. We don't want to load up at home and burn gas with all the extra weight till we are closer. I found a walmart in Kimball TN that is about 45mins from Manchester....also could you recommend a place to fill up near Bonnaroo that the traffic wouldn't be as bad as that main exit? Or do you think we should fill up when we get off that main exit? Just want to have as much gas as possible for our generator to run, I also would think the gas stations at that main exit would hike up prices for the event.....

Post by pastero on Apr 15, 2013 10:54:57 GMT -5

Yea, we always stop outside manchester.... Kimball is good, Monteagle is a little closer and where we stop to fill up gas and water. In fact, Monteagle is at the top of the mountain, as soon as you leave the exit and head north on I-24 the following 2 exits (exits 127 & 117 using hillsboro hwy 41 north) can be used to avoid traffic off the interstate.

Keep in mind, there are TWO GA/RV gates into the fest... one directly off the interstate and the other off of Bushy Branch Road. The interstate one seems to be a little quicker and you are directly in the camping area once you go thru "processing" but the waiting line to this gate is down the interstate emergency lane (being backed up multiple exits at peak). The second entrance is located a couple miles down a back road (Bushy Branch Road) and is actually accessible via exit 111, the second Manchester Exit.

Post by pastero on Apr 24, 2013 14:13:55 GMT -5

D in the past 2 years the interstate gate was not open wed when we went in.. if memory serves me correct they didn't open G1 Hwy gate till thurs am or late late night wed/thurs am...

Right on, I couldn't really remember.... the last time I used it was 3 years ago when I we showed up super early (before I met the inforoo crew and before they allowed Wed. entry) and had to wait in line 7 hours. yes, no typo... 7 hours!!! Apparently, the ground was wet and also an 18 wheeler flipped right near the entrance. Once they finally let us in, we arrived at a full campground. They had let EVERY other soul come thru bushy branch and filled the lots. We were stuck in the back about 200 feet from the HWY entrance.

Anyway, to follow up on the WED gate time:

WHEN CAN I ARRIVE?

The parking lot and General Admission campground open at about 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening, June 12, and will close around noon on Monday, June 17.

The VIP campground opens at 8:00 Am on Thursday, June 13.

I could have sworn it was a lot earlier than that last year... but oh well.

Post by Vector Viking on May 3, 2013 10:31:06 GMT -5

Last year the RV camping section was all one big clump on the west side of the main camping area (ferris wheel not arch side), from about where access stops all the way to the G1 entrance/exit on the map. Aside from doing RV groop, the only way I could think of would be to meet somewhere nearby - relatively speaking - and drive in together. My RV group will be coming in from the north on Wednesday evening, late. If anyone coming in with an RV that night would like to meet up in Murfreesboro and convoy, shoot me a PM.

Post by gratefuled on May 3, 2013 12:43:18 GMT -5

Hey, everybody...my wife and I intend to arrive Wednesday afternoon/evening, either from the south on 24 or from the northeast on 55. So with that established we'd like to meet up with others and convoy in.

Is there already a Wednesday convoy established from either one of those directions? If so, can we tag along? And if so if so, would you either message me or let me know in this thread what your plans are and how/where we can meet up?

Post by annlouisville on May 16, 2013 22:25:11 GMT -5

Hello RV fans! I have an RV site reserved at Bonnaroo and now can't come. Does someone need an RV site? They are sold out online. I put my on StubHub but would be glad to sell it here. If you are interested, please send an email to awalthall@insightbb.com. Face value was $200. I can give someone a better deal.

Post by sheiscindy on May 26, 2013 0:52:09 GMT -5

This is my first bonnaroo!! I am so excited!! We are going in my dads RV, but he is worried that if it rains that the RV will get stuck. I am sure this happens, but what do you do when it happens?

Any information on this to help me ease his mind would be helpful!

Don't overly fret about this potentiality. The farm ground is fairly firm, and RV roads and Camp Sections are intentionally placed in flatter and firmer areas. If it doesn't downpour on Tuesday night and/or Wednesday when gates open, there won't be a problem at all. Back in 2010, it did rain prior, and there was an incident of a stuck RV in a muddy rut. As quickly as the Roo staff could, they had a tractor pull the RV out, and then filled in the mud with dry dirt and covered it with hay, and wisely diverted RV traffic around the bad spot. So breathe easy - just keep your eyes peeled on the RV ducks ahead of you when driving in, the road itself and it's rut lines, and you won't become that stuck stuck goose! And, well, if it does downpour, ignore that ringing call from Dad till you can tell him "everything's fine!" See you at ROO!

Post by mod13 on Jun 2, 2013 22:20:16 GMT -5

Where do you fill up water at Montiegle? I am a first timer pulling a 42ft fifth wheel from NY. Any sugestions would be helpfull. I plan on camping in a KOA out side Knoxville Tuesday night and heading directly to the farm the next morning. When do they allow you to get on line? It appears that going to exit 111 and using the back road may be better. Have a hight of 13.5 ft. Any poblems on the back road.

Post by mod13 on Jun 2, 2013 22:20:31 GMT -5

Where do you fill up water at Montiegle? I am a first timer pulling a 42ft fifth wheel from NY. Any sugestions would be helpfull. I plan on camping in a KOA out side Knoxville Tuesday night and heading directly to the farm the next morning. When do they allow you to get on line? It appears that going to exit 111 and using the back road may be better. Have a hight of 13.5 ft. Any poblems on the back road.

Post by malo on Jun 3, 2013 16:57:25 GMT -5

Where do you fill up water at Montiegle? I am a first timer pulling a 42ft fifth wheel from NY. Any sugestions would be helpfull. I plan on camping in a KOA out side Knoxville Tuesday night and heading directly to the farm the next morning. When do they allow you to get on line? It appears that going to exit 111 and using the back road may be better. Have a hight of 13.5 ft. Any poblems on the back road.

Honestly, we have filled up at different areas, but it really is hit or miss. A set water area is hot one minute then they get annoyed and shoo everyone away.

Post by jdpber on Jun 19, 2013 11:08:30 GMT -5

Well this year was a success as always... 7 RVs 28 people.. endless laughs and good times..

we hit the gate we were about 5 cars deep waiting in line and our group was the first set of RVs thru.. total time from the interstate to inside the gate 28 minutes.. we timed it perfect this year. all of us minus one rig (blown water pump at the shop but it was delivered via a very nice mechanic to the front gate and we got it parked in the saved spot next to our group.

our group curtsy of a screen shot from the Bonnaroo video

this is our 3x4 area.. the center green space was 50'x95'

as you can see we were there very early WEDNESDAY

camp balloon.. 5.5' diameter 150' up in the air..

its not bonnaroo if you dont shop up to camp at 4am to find a wrecked fasTaxi golf cart in your front lawn.. we still dont know the story